Lockheed JetStar

Details

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

Large size corporate jet

History

The four engined JetStar was initially designed as a private venture but was also selected to fulfil a US Air Force requirement for a multi engined light transport and crew trainer.
The first JetStar prototype first flew on September 4 1957. Two prototypes were built powered by two Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojets, one of these was reengined with four Pratt & Whitney JT12s in 1959 when an agreement to licence assemble the Orpheus in the United States could not be negotiated. The JT12 was selected for production aircraft, and the first of these flew in mid 1960.
The first civil configured JetStar was delivered in early 1961 and so the JetStar was the first business jet to enter service. Meanwhile the JetStar entered service with the USAF in 1962 as the C140 navaid calibration aircraft and the VC140 VIP transport in late 1961.
The turbojet powered JetStar remained in production until mid 1973, by which time development of the turbofan powered JetStar II had been announced. The JetStar II differs from the earlier aircraft primarily in its four Garrett (previously AiResearch and now AlliedSignal) TFE731 turbofans with their significantly improved fuel consumption, resulting in substantial improvements in operating costs, range and lower noise levels, while more power allows a higher maximum takeoff weight.
The first JetStar II flew on August 18 1976, with certification following in December that year. The II remained in production until 1979.
AiResearch meanwhile had already flown its own TFE731 powered conversion of the JetStar in July 1974. The first production AiResearch 731 JetStar conversion flew in March 1976.